Darwin Nunez and Karim Benzema in line for moves as Al Hilal pursue Ollie Watkins

Aug 19, 2026 - 11:45
Darwin Nunez and Karim Benzema in line for moves as Al Hilal pursue Ollie Watkins

Darwin Nunez and Karim Benzema could both leave Al Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League giants eyeing up Ollie Watkins.

talkSPORT understands Al Hilal have tabled a £38million bid for Aston Villa and England striker Watkins.

Darwin Nunez picks up the ball in celebration after scoring for Al Hilal.
Nunez joined Al Hilal from Liverpool 12 months ago
Getty

Watkins, 30, scored 21 goals in all competitions for Villa last season and featured for England at this summer’s World Cup.

His current contract at Villa runs until the summer of 2028.

Al Hilal’s approach for Watkins comes after the record 21-time champions of Saudi Arabia held talks with Harry Kane‘s representative about an audacious swoop for the England captain.

However, it’s expected Kane will commit his future to Bayern Munich by signing a new contract.

talkSPORT understands Al Hilal have also earmarked Galatasaray and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen as a potential centre-forward signing.

Former Liverpool frontman Nunez, 27, has endured a difficult time in Saudi Arabia.

Having joined Al Hilal from the Reds last summer, he found himself left out of their domestic league squad for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign due to a cap on the number of overseas players.

talkSPORT exclusively revealed on Monday that fellow Saudi Pro League side Diriyah Club were working on a loan move for Nunez.

He has also been linked with a switch to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, who recently signed his old Liverpool teammate Mo Salah.

Nunez’s omission from the Al Hilal squad came after the arrival of Benzema from fierce rivals Al Ittihad in February.

Karim Benzema raises his hand in celebration after scoring for Al Hilal.
Benzema arrived in the Saudi Pro League in 2023 with Al Ittihad, doing the double in 2024/25
Getty

But while Real Madrid legend Benzema made a prolific impact for Al Hilal at the back end of 2025/26, scoring nine goals in 13 outings in all competitions, and has already opened his account this term, he might be on the move again.

Turning 39 in December, Benzema is in the twilight of his career, but he’s shown with his output in recent months that he’s lost little of that deadly striker’s instinct – even if he is no longer playing in a top-five European league.

Al Hilal finished second in the Saudi Pro League last season behind Cristiano Ronaldo-captained Al Nassr.

Managed by ex-Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal began the 2025/26 campaign with a 4-2 win over Al Faisaly.

Benzema opened the scoring with a penalty, with former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves also converting twice from the spot.

Neves went on to bag another brace as Al Hilal beat Al Raed 2-0 in the King’s Cup.

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